Officials with North Carolina Highway Patrol said I-26 was reopened Saturday morning after it was forced to shut down in parts of western North Carolina for nearly 8 hours due to flooding in the area.

Troopers reported that I-26 was closed off around 9:15 p.m. Friday in Henderson County near East Flat Rock and mile marker 54. Highway patrol confirmed that motorists were unable to get through due to the flooded roadway, and said detours were put in place.

Polk County officials also confirmed mudslides in the Saluda Grade area between Saluda and Tryon, NC.

FOX Carolina meteorologist Isaac Williams said as much as 4" of rain fell in these areas since around 8 p.m. Friday.

Officials with Town of Columbus Fire Department in North Carolina also confirmed that I-26 was shut down east and westbound, urging motorists to avoid getting onto the interstate between Columbus and Saluda.

Tony Priester, Chief of Town of Columbus Fire Department, said a state of emergency was declared in Polk County due to the flooding.

Priester said several roads were flooded and washed out, and reported that Hwy 176 from Tryon to Saluda was shut down due to mudslides and flooding as well.

A command post has been set up at the Tryon Youth Center on Highway 176.

Fire officials reported 3 feet of water along I-26 where it was shut down. Priester said his crews on scene also reported bad conditions at mile marker 61.

Hwy 221 is also shut down, said fire officials.

Priester said his crews are working with Spartanburg County officials to detour motorists off at Hwy 14, however no confirmed detour has been put in place as of just before midnight.

Fire officials said anyone with plans to travel to Asheville needs to make other arrangements.

If you live near a creek or a river, monitor it and be prepared to evacuate your home if need be because water is rising quickly

If you get caught int eh water, roll windows down and get out of your car and sit on top of it; once you realize you're in water, get your windows rolled down so you have a means of escape

At around 5:30 a.m. I-26 was reopened, per NCDOT.

In case you missed the earlier update, floodwater that had closed I-26 in both directions in Henderson and Polk County btw Exits 54 (US-25) and 67 (US-74 East/NC-108) receded and the highway reopened about 530 this morning.